For the record 21 August

21-08-2006

by Maxim Kelly

TelecityRedbus set to buy Globix UK | ComReg launches consultation on narrowband market

Wireless broadband provider Irish Broadband has announced it is to launch a EUR2 million marketing campaign in an effort to boost customers of its Ripwave product. The campaign, entitled "If you like easy, you'll like our broadband," will feature new TV commercials, as well as new print, radio and online advertising.

TelecityRedbus has announced its intention to acquire internet infrastructure and managed services provider Globix UK in a USD62 million deal. TelecityRedbus said the acquisition will bring to seven the number of data centres it operates in London. Globix UK, which is a subsidiary of Globix Corporation, will also bring with it a wide-ranging portfolio of managed services, as well as customer service expertise. The transaction is expected to close in the next three weeks.

Information management and storage firm EMC will sponsor the 2006 Inspired IT competition's "Team of the Year" award. The awards, which are organised by technology market research company iReach, will take place in Dublin on 13 October. Inspired IT acknowledges the often unsung role of IT Managers and their teams for creating business value through the inspired use of information technology in Ireland.

Industry body Engineers Ireland responded to Monday's CAO results by pointing out that demand for places on engineering and technology courses remains robust in contrast to the overall general trend downwards in points. Half of engineering degree (level 8) courses remain at the same or higher points level than last year, while this figure is 60 percent for level 6 and 7 (ordinary degree/diploma) courses. There are now over 220 programmes available ranging from the traditional disciplines of civil and mechanical engineering to the newer choices of biomedical, environmental and biosystems engineering, according to Engineers Ireland

Mobile service infrastructure provider MobileAware has partnered with Finnish technology consulting firm Etnoteam. Etnoteam will market, supply and support the Dublin firm's products in Northern Europe. Etnoteam's customers include leading communications, media and electronics organisations such as Nokia, TeliaSonera, ABB, Itella, Sky Italia and Il Sole24Ore.

ComReg has opened a consultation process to asses public and industry views on applying a retail price cap on narrowband access markets. These sectors are copper exchange lines, basic rate ISDN services, and higher level ISDN access. ComReg believes that in the absence of some form of a price cap to address Eircom's market dominance, consumers could face rises in line rental and connection charges. "If regulation of the closely related retail fixed calls markets is determined ultimately to be appropriate, ComReg will consult separately as to whether a retail price cap is still necessary and appropriate in respect of call markets," the communications regulator said in a statement.